Upright vacuum cleaner with swivel connection between nozzle and handle assemblies

ABSTRACT

An upright vacuum cleaner includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on the body. Two wheels support the vacuum cleaner on a surface to be cleaned. Those wheels are connected to the nozzle assembly by an axle. A swivel connecting the nozzle assembly and the handle assembly is secured to the nozzle assembly by that axle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the floor care equipment field and,more particularly, to a new and improved upright vacuum cleanerincorporating a relatively simple and inexpensive swivel connectionbetween the nozzle assembly and the handle assembly.

BACKGROUND

Upright vacuum cleaners incorporating a nozzle assembly and a handleassembly are well known in the art. In order to allow for enhancedmaneuverability and operator convenience, it is also known to provide aswivel connection between the nozzle assembly and handle assembly.Generally, such swivel connections are relatively complicatedstructures. This document relates to a new and improved upright vacuumcleaner including a relatively simple swivel connection between thenozzle assembly and handle assembly that provides efficient andeffective operation yet is less expensive to produce and assemble.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, anupright vacuum cleaner is provided. That upright vacuum cleaner includesa body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. Both a suctiongenerator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on that body. Twowheels support the vacuum cleaner on a surface to be cleaned. The wheelsare connected to the nozzle assembly by an axle. Further the vacuumcleaner includes a swivel connecting the nozzle assembly to the handleassembly. The swivel is secured to the nozzle assembly by the axle thatforms an axis A₁ about which the swivel pivots with respect to thenozzle assembly. The swivel also includes a pivot boss that supports thehandle assembly for pivotal movement about a second axis A₂. The secondaxis A₂ is perpendicular to and offset from the first axis A₁.

More specifically, the swivel comprises a first yoke including, a firstarm and a second arm. The axle is received through aligned apertures inthe first and second arms. In addition, the vacuum cleaner furtherincludes a locking jaw pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly by theaxle. In one possible embodiment, the locking jaw comprises a secondyoke. The first and second yokes at least partially nest together.

The locking jaw includes a first set of teeth and the handle assemblyincludes a second set of teeth. The handle assembly is displaceablebetween (a) a storage position wherein the first and second set of teethare engaged and the handle assembly is held in an upright and centeredposition and (b) a use position wherein the first and second set ofteeth are disengaged so that the handle assembly may pivot with respectto the swivel.

The handle assembly also includes a support and a canister housing. Inone possible embodiment, the suction generator and the dirt collectionvessel are both carried by the canister housing. In one possibleembodiment, the upright vacuum cleaner further includes a wand and aflexible suction hose carried on the canister housing. In one possibleembodiment, the upright vacuum cleaner further includes a supplementalcleaning tool. The supplemental cleaning tool is connected to a firstend of the wand and a flexible hose is connected to a second end of thewand. In addition, a receiver is carried on the canister housing. Thereceiver receives and holds the supplemental cleaning tool. The wand andthe supplemental cleaning tool are configured for cleaning with thenozzle assembly. In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner includes anairflow path that passes serially through the nozzle assembly, thesupplemental cleaning tool, the wand, the hose and the dirt collectionvessel to the suction generator. A final filter may be provided andcarried on the canister housing downstream from the suction generator.In one possible embodiment the final filter is positioned on thecanister housing between the suction generator and the dirt collectionvessel.

In one possible embodiment, the nozzle assembly includes a suction inletin communication with an agitator cavity and a rotary agitator receivedin that agitator cavity. An agitator drive motor is carried on thenozzle assembly. Wiring to the agitator drive motor passes through oneof the first and second arms, the pivot boss and the hub of the swivel.Further, the upright vacuum cleaner may include a releasable lock forsecuring the canister assembly to the support. A sliding actuator may bemanipulated to release the lock thereby allowing the canister housingand connected components to be removed from the nozzle assembly forspecialty cleaning tasks.

In the following description, there are shown and described severalpreferred embodiments of the upright vacuum cleaner. As it should berealized, the upright vacuum cleaner is capable of other, differentembodiments and its several details are capable of modification invarious, obvious aspects all without departing from the upright vacuumcleaner as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly,the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative innature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the upright vacuumcleaner and together with the description serve to explain certainprinciples thereof. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a firstconfiguration for cleaning a surface utilizing the nozzle assembly.

FIG. 1a is a schematic block diagram of the air flow pathway through thevacuum cleaner when operated in the first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a secondconfiguration for specialty cleaning applications using the supplementalcleaning tool.

FIG. 2a is a schematic block diagram of the air flow pathway through thevacuum cleaner when in the second configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a thirdconfiguration for use in cleaning as a portable canister vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3a is a schematic block diagram of the structure of the uprightvacuum cleaner.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support, the swivel, thelocking jaw, the bottom plate of the nozzle assembly and the axle thatsecures the swivel and locking jaw to the bottom plate.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of how the support is anchoredon the pivot boss.

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the locking jaw and support whenthe handle assembly is in the inclined, use position wherein the firstset of teeth on the locking jaw are disengaged from the second set ofteeth on the housing support.

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of the locking jaw and support whenthe handle assembly is in the upright, storage position and the two setsof teeth are fully engaged.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section illustrating wiring passing from an electricalcontact down through the pivot boss.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view illustrating how that wiring runs from thepivot boss down one arm of the swivel to the cross member that receivesthe fixed axle about which the swivel pivots.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the upright vacuum cleaner, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner10 configured for standard or normal upright vacuum cleaner cleaning.The upright vacuum cleaner 10 includes a body comprising a nozzleassembly 12, a handle assembly 14 and a swivel connection 18 between thenozzle assembly and the canister assembly. That swivel connection 18will be described in detail later in this document.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1a , the nozzle assembly 12includes an agitator cavity 26. A rotary agitator 28 is received in theagitator cavity 26. As further illustrated in FIG. 1a , dirt and debrisis drawn into the agitator cavity 26 and swept by the rotary agitator 28toward the suction inlet 30. From there the airstream entrained withdirt and debris is drawn through the supplemental cleaning tool 32, acleaning wand 16 and a flexible hose 34 to the dirt collection vessel36.

The dirt collection vessel 36 may comprise an ordinary dirt cup, acyclonic dirt cup or a vacuum cleaner filter bag. Dirt and debris isremoved from the airstream and collected in the dirt collection vessel36. The relatively clean airstream is then drawn through the suctiongenerator 38 where the airstream provides cooling for the suctiongenerator motor before being forced through the final filter 40 and thenreturned to the environment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 2 a illustrating the upright vacuumcleaner 10 configured for specialty cleaning applications. Morespecifically, the cleaning wand 16 and attached supplemental cleaningtool 32 are removed from their mounting position on the body of thevacuum cleaner 10 and manipulated by an operator to complete the desiredcleaning task in a convenient and efficient manner. In thisconfiguration or mode of operation, dirt and debris are drawn directlyinto the supplemental cleaning tool 32 and then flow downstream throughthe cleaning wand 16 and the flexible hose 34 to the dirt collectionvessel 36. From there the air stream flows through the suction generator38, cooling the motor, before being forced through the final filter 40and then returning to the environment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and 3 a illustrating the upright vacuumcleaner in a third configuration. In this configuration, the canisterassembly 42, including the dirt collection vessel 36, the suctiongenerator 38, the cleaning wand 16, the flexible hose 34 and thesupplemental cleaning tool 32, is released from the support 44 by meansof the sliding actuator 46 which opens the lock 48. In thisconfiguration, the canister assembly 42 operates like a canister vacuumcleaner and is completely separated from the nozzle assembly 12.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4-8 which illustrate in detail the swivelconnection 18 and the locking mechanism for holding the handle assembly14 in a centered position over the nozzle assembly 12 when in anupright, storage position. As shown the swivel connection 18 includes aswivel 50 that connects the nozzle assembly 12 to the handle assembly14. The swivel 50 comprises a first yoke having a first arm 54 and asecond arm 56. A cross member 58 extends between the two arms 54, 56.The swivel 50 is connected to the nozzle assembly 12 by means of theaxle 60 which rotatively connects two wheels 62 to the nozzle assembly12. More specifically, the axle 60 extends through the wheels 62, thebottom plate 64 of the nozzle assembly 12, as well as the two arms 54,56 and the cross member 58 of the swivel 50. The axle 60 is keyed orfixed to the nozzle assembly 12 and the swivel 50 pivots about the fixedaxle 60 which forms a first axis A₁.

The swivel 50 also includes a pivot boss 68 that supports the handleassembly 14 and, more specifically, the support plate or support 44 ofthe handle assembly 14. As should be appreciated, the dirt collectionvessel 36, suction generator 38, wand 16 and supplementary cleaning tool32 are all carried on the canister assembly 42. Thus, in thisconfiguration the canister assembly 42 and its associated componentsfunction like a portable canister vacuum cleaner free and clear of thenozzle assembly 12. The pivot boss 68 is tapered and sized to receivethe bearing sleeve 80 molded into the support 44. A washer 82 andretaining ring 84 complete the connection. As should be appreciated, thesupport 44 and the entire handle assembly 14 rotate on the pivot boss 68which forms a second axis A₂. The second axis A₂ is offset from andparallel to the first axis A₁ formed by the axle 60. Together the twopivot axis A₁ and A₂ provide a swivel connection 18 between the nozzleassembly 12 and handle assembly 14 with two degrees of freedom. Theswivel connection 18 is a simple and dependable two-piece structure thatis inexpensive to produce yet provides reliable service over a longservice life.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8, the vacuum cleaner 10includes a locking jaw 86 that is pivotally connected to the nozzleassembly 12 by the axle 60. As illustrated, the locking jaw comprises asecond yoke. The arms 54, 56 of the swivel/first yoke 50 includeopposing cavities 85 and pivot bosses 87 that receive the arms 89 of thelocking jaw 86 and the swivel/first yoke and locking jaw/second yoke aresized and shaped to at least partially nest together when held inposition on the nozzle assembly 12 by the axle 60.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 a and 6 b, the locking jaw 86includes a first set of teeth 88 and the handle assembly (morespecifically, the support 44) includes a second set of teeth 90. Asillustrated the two sets of teeth 88, 90 are sized and shaped to meshwhen the handle assembly 14 is positioned into an upright, storageposition as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 b. More specifically, the setsof teeth 88, 90 are tapered to fully mesh easily. As the handle assembly14 is pivoted forwardly from an inclined use position to the uprightstorage position, the center of gravity of the handle assembly tends topull the handle assembly into a centered position. In this position theteeth sets 88, 90 will fully engage to prevent any pivoting of thehandle assembly 14 on the pivot boss 68. In this way, the handleassembly 14 is always stored in the storage position with the handleassembly 14 centered over the nozzle assembly 12. This is a stableposition that is less likely to tip over due to any inadvertent contactwith the vacuum cleaner 10.

When the handle assembly 14 is moved downwardly from the storageposition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 b to an inclined use positionillustrated in FIG. 6a , the support 44 is pivoted away from the lockingjaw 86 which is always drawn downwardly into a home position by gravity.As a result, the teeth 88, 90 disengage (see FIG. 6a ) so that thehandle assembly 14 may be pivoted on the pivot boss 68 around the secondaxis A₂. Thus, full swivel action is restored so each time the handleassembly 14 is moved to the use position, the operator may smoothly andefficiently guide the vacuum cleaner 10 across the floor.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which clearly show the routing ofelectrical wiring W from the handle assembly 14 to the nozzle assembly12. More specifically, that wiring W runs from two contacts 92 (see alsoFIG. 3) carried on the support 44 down through the center 94 of thepivot boss 68 and then along the arm 54 to the cross member 58. Fromthere the wiring W enters the lobe 64 by which it is routed to theagitator drive motor in the nozzle assembly 12.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claimswhen interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally and equitably entitled.

What is claimed:
 1. An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising: a bodyincluding a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly; a suction generatorcarried on said body; a dirt collection vessel carried on said body; twowheels for supporting said vacuum cleaner on a surface to be cleaned,said wheels being connected to said nozzle assembly by an axle; and aswivel connecting said nozzle assembly to said handle assembly, saidswivel being secured to said nozzle assembly by said axle whereby saidswivel pivots with respect to said nozzle assembly about a first axisA₁.
 2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said swivelincludes a pivot boss that supports said handle assembly for pivotingmovement about a second axis A₂.
 3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim2, wherein said second axis A₂ is perpendicular to and offset from saidfirst axis A₁.
 4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein saidswivel comprises a first yoke including a first arm and a second arm,said axle being received through aligned apertures in said first andsecond arms.
 5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4, further includinga locking jaw pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly by said axle.6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said locking jawcomprises a second yoke.
 7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 6,wherein said first yoke and said second yoke at least partially nesttogether.
 8. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein said lockingjaw includes a first set of teeth and said handle assembly includes asecond set of teeth.
 9. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 7, whereinsaid handle assembly is displaceable between (a) a storage positionwherein said first and second set of teeth are engaged and said handleassembly is held in an upright and centered position and (b) a useposition wherein said first and second set of teeth are disengaged. 10.The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein said handle assemblyincludes a support and a canister housing.
 11. The upright vacuumcleaner of claim 10, wherein said suction generator and said dirtcollection vessel are carried by said canister housing.
 12. The uprightvacuum cleaner of claim 11, further including a wand and a flexiblesuction hose carried on said canister housing.
 13. The upright vacuumcleaner of claim 12, further including a supplemental cleaning tool,said supplemental cleaning tool being connected to a first end of saidwand and said flexible hose being connected to a second end of saidwand.
 14. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further including areceiver carried on said canister housing, said receiver receiving andholding said supplemental cleaning tool when said wand and supplementalcleaning tool are configured for cleaning with said nozzle assembly. 15.The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said vacuum cleanerincludes an airflow path that passes serially through said nozzleassembly, said supplemental cleaning tool, said wand, said hose and saiddirt collection vessel to said suction generator.
 16. The upright vacuumcleaner of claim 15, further including a final filter carried on saidcanister housing downstream from said suction generator.
 17. The uprightvacuum cleaner of claim 16, further including a releasable lockingmechanism for securing said canister assembly to said support.
 18. Theupright vacuum cleaner of claim 17, wherein said support includes asleeve received over said pivot boss whereby said support pivots on saidpivot boss.
 19. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein saidnozzle assembly includes a suction inlet in communication with anagitator cavity and a rotary agitator received in said agitator cavity.20. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5, further including an agitatordrive motor carried on said nozzle assembly, wiring to said agitatordrive motor passing through one of said first and second arms, saidpivot boss and said hub.